Bryan
Burrell was born on July 15th, 1839, the eldest son of Major
Bryan Burrell, of Broome-Park, Alnwick, Northumberland.
He was
gazetted a Cornet in the 15th Light Dragoons without
purchase, vice Penfold, promoted on December 7th, 1857. The
regiment was then stationned in Ireland.
Burrell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Walker on September 23d, 1859.
He became a Captain by purchase, vice William Veall
Greetham, who retire(d) on February 22d, 1861.
Later
that year, the regiment was changed from Light Dragoons to Hussars.
The 15th Hussars were removed from Ireland to Scotland in April
1864.
The Newcastle
Courant reported in its October 28th, 1864 edition, that Captain
Burrell, 15th Hussars, was amongst the company
attending the Alnwick Sessions Ball :
"This
annual gathering of the county families of Northumberland was held
on Thursday evening. By permission of his grace the Duke of
Northumberland the ball was held in the splendid suite of Assembly
Rooms in the Market Place. The attendance was more numerous than
it has been for several years. The ball was opened by a contre
dance, led off by the Sheriff of the county (Mr Ames, of Linden)
and Mrs Bryan Burrell, of Broome Park ; followed in rapid
succession by quadrilles, valses, and gallops. The invigorating
dance was kept up with much spirit until an early hour next
morning. (...)"
The
following year, Captain Burrell ran his horses in the 15th Hussars'
Steeplechases.
The Caledonian Mercury tells that the races "took
place (on April 17th) at Mr Steedman's farm of Boghall, six miles
south of Edinburgh. (...)The morning was cloudy and wet, and owing
to this cause the attendence of the public was not so large as it
might otherwise have been. In the afternoon the weather was all
that could be desired (...)".
Captain Burrell rode his black gelding "Tom Steele"
in a race for a 25 sovereigns purse - drawing the first place with
Mr. G.Walker's brown gelding "Friday".
He rode his chestnut gelding "Magic" for the REGIMENTAL
WHIP, a race he finished in the 3rd place.
He rode again "Tom Steele" in a CONSOLATIONS
STAKES race, finishing 1st just before "Friday".
He
attended the regimental dinner that took place at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, on Monday, May 20th, 1867.
Captain
Burrell also took part in the 15th Hussars 1868 regimental races,
held along the Norfolk and Norwich Hunt Steeplechases on March
25th and 26th.
On the first day, he ran for the 15th HUSSARS REGIMENTAL CHALLENGE CUP, riding Mr.Cookson's chestnut mare "Honesty",
and finishing fourth. His own brown mare "Kitten"
was also entered, but did not run.
He rode and won the HUNTER'S PLATE on the same "Honesty"
- his black gelding "Tommy Steele" here also
entered but not running. He also rode Mr. Briscoe's brown gelding "Hussar"
for the CHARGERS STAKES, a race he finished third.
On the second racing day, he rode Mr.Briscoe's gelding "David"
and was runner up for A CHALLENGE CUP.
A few
days later, on March 31st, he was gazetted a Major, by
purchase, vice William Edington Stuart, who retire(d) (dated
April 1st).
The
head-quarters of the 15th Hussars left Norwich for York on April
14th, 1868.
They will stay there for over a year before embarking for India,
as related by The Times on August 14th,
1869 :
"Yesterday the troopship Simoom arrived in the Mersey from
Quebec, and landed the 13th Hussars, consisting of 19 officers, 7
officers' wives, and 10 officers' children, 403 men, 71 women, and
103 children. In the course of the day the troops left for York,
and the Simoom at once proceeded to take on board the 15th Hussars,
from York, and will take them round to Portsmouth, en route for
Chichester, whence they will shortly leave for India."
Major
Burrell will proceed to India with the regiment, as told by The
Times on Monday, November 15th, 1869 :
"(...) Her Majesty's Indian relief screw troopship Serapis,
Captain John Soady, embarked the following troops at Portsmouth on
Saturday, and zas under orders to sail for Alexandria at daylight
this morning :-15th Hussars - Col. Wygram, Majors Burrell and
Swindley, Surg.-Major Stewart ; Capts. Pearson, Humphreys, Walker,
Maxwell, Gregory, Luck, and Langtry ; Lieuts. Brown, Blackett,
Body, Bryan, White, Beck, and Davison ; Cornets Cookson, Kay,
Hamilton, Sullivan, Ronnell, Smirke, and Holland ; Adjt. Briscoe,
Paymaster Lascelle, wife, and child, Assist.-Surgs. Renton and
Martin ; Ridingmasters Robinson and Stainland, and Veterinary-Surg.
Healy. (...) 460 non-commissioned officers and men, 56 women, 73
children (...)"
The 15th
Hussars were to be taken over by the troopship Malabar at Suez -
amidst the turmoils and celebrations of the opening of the Suez
Canal.
They took over the horses and quarters of the 2d Dragoon Guards at
Mhow.
Major
Burrell will retire from the service, receiving the value of
his commission, on March 9th, 1872.
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